Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Washington in 2013. She was the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
In photos: Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Washington in 2013. She was the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
Todd Heisler/The New York Times/Redux

Updated 11:18 PM EDT, Sun September 20, 2020

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman to serve on the US Supreme Court, died September 18, 2020, due to complications from pancreatic cancer. She was 87.

"Our nation has lost a jurist of historic stature," Chief Justice John Roberts said. "We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague. Today we mourn, but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her — a tireless and resolute champion of justice."

Ginsburg had several bouts with cancer. She had radiation therapy for the pancreatic cancer in 2019. In 2018, she underwent surgery to remove two cancerous nodules from her left lung. She was also treated for early stages of pancreatic cancer in 2009, and she had surgery to treat colon cancer in 1999.

Ginsburg was the oldest Supreme Court justice. She was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993, and she led the court's liberal wing.

Ginsburg was born Joan Ruth Bader on March 15, 1933. Here she is at 2 years old.
Ginsburg was born Joan Ruth Bader on March 15, 1933. Here she is at 2 years old.
Supreme Court of the United States
A photo of Ginsburg from her high school yearbook.
A photo of Ginsburg from her high school yearbook.
AP
Ginsburg, 13, sits immediately to the left of Rabbi Harry Halpern at the East Midwood Jewish Center, a synagogue in Brooklyn, New York, in 1946.
Ginsburg, 13, sits immediately to the left of Rabbi Harry Halpern at the East Midwood Jewish Center, a synagogue in Brooklyn, New York, in 1946.
Courtesy of Joan and Stuart Danoff
Ginsburg and her cousin Richard ski at a lodge in the Adirondacks circa 1946.
Ginsburg and her cousin Richard ski at a lodge in the Adirondacks circa 1946.
Courtesy of Si and Roz Bessen
Ginsburg is the maid of honor at a cousin's wedding in 1951.
Ginsburg is the maid of honor at a cousin's wedding in 1951.
Courtesy of Justice Ginsburg's Personal Collection
Ginsburg met her husband, Martin,<strong> </strong>while attending Cornell University, and both went on to study law. The couple were engaged in December 1953.
Ginsburg met her husband, Martin, while attending Cornell University, and both went on to study law. The couple were engaged in December 1953.
Courtesy of Justice Ginsburg's Personal Collection
Ginsburg and her husband married in June 1954. She was 21 at the time.
Ginsburg and her husband married in June 1954. She was 21 at the time.
Courtesy of Justice Ginsburg's Personal Collection
The couple went on to have two children: Jane, born in 1955, and James, born in 1965.
The couple went on to have two children: Jane, born in 1955, and James, born in 1965.
Courtesy of Justice Ginsburg's Personal Collection
A portrait of Ginsburg from 1977. At the time, she was a professor at the Columbia University School of Law. She was also a general counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union.
A portrait of Ginsburg from 1977. At the time, she was a professor at the Columbia University School of Law. She was also a general counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union.
Bettmann/Getty Images
Ginsburg is joined by family members on the steps of the US Supreme Court after arguing a case there in November 1978. With Ginsburg, from left, are her brother-in-law Ed Stiepleman; her nephew David Stiepleman; and her son, James.
Ginsburg is joined by family members on the steps of the US Supreme Court after arguing a case there in November 1978. With Ginsburg, from left, are her brother-in-law Ed Stiepleman; her nephew David Stiepleman; and her son, James.
Courtesy of Justice Ginsburg's Personal Collection
Ginsburg was the first woman to be hired with tenure at the Columbia University School of Law. She also taught at the Rutgers University School of Law.
Ginsburg was the first woman to be hired with tenure at the Columbia University School of Law. She also taught at the Rutgers University School of Law.
Courtesy of Justice Ginsburg's Personal Collection
Ginsburg, her husband and their two children -— James and Jane — pose for a photo off the shore of St. Thomas in 1979.
Ginsburg, her husband and their two children -— James and Jane — pose for a photo off the shore of St. Thomas in 1979.
Supreme Court of the United States
In 1980, US President Jimmy Carter nominated Ginsburg to be a judge for the US Court of Appeals' District of Columbia Circuit.
In 1980, US President Jimmy Carter nominated Ginsburg to be a judge for the US Court of Appeals' District of Columbia Circuit.
Supreme Court of the United States
Ginsburg in her chambers at the US Courthouse in Washington.
Ginsburg in her chambers at the US Courthouse in Washington.
Terry Ashe/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty
Ginsburg, her husband and their children vacation in Egypt in 1985.
Ginsburg, her husband and their children vacation in Egypt in 1985.
Dennis Cook/AP
Ginsburg and her husband take a bus to Paris circa 1988.
Ginsburg and her husband take a bus to Paris circa 1988.
Justice Ginsburg's Personal Collection